Apparatus for the production of formol by catalysis



Feb. 28, 1928.

E. A. BARBET APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FORMOL BY CATALYSIS FiledOct. 23, 1923 1 1112117601 .JZLBCLY'IJ Qt" Patented Feb. 28, 1928.

UNITED STATES EMILE AUGUSTIN BARBET, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FORMOL BY CATAITYSIS.

Application filed October 23, 1923, Serial No. 870,369, and in BelgiumOctober 36, 1922.

The catalyzer for converting methyl-alco- 1101 into formol orformaldehyde is a closely wound coil of copper metal cloth. Thiscatalyzer is previously heated, and a suitable mixture of air and vapourof methyl-alcohol is caused to pass through it. The resulting oxidationis an exothermic one, which maintains the catalyzer at the desiredtcmpera ture of dark red heat.

Nevertheless, on thoroughly analyzing the phenomenon it will be foundthat the exothermic character of the reaction is due to the fact thatthe oxidation of va portion of the methyl alcohol has not stopped at thestage of aldehyde but has proceeded further, with the production ofcarbonic acid and water vapour, so that the yield of formol isconsiderably less than it would be if the destruction of the methylalcohol had been avoided.

On the other hand it has likewise been observed that it is advantageousthat the mixture of the vapours which are formed and the excess airshall be cooled as quickly as possible on issuing from the incandescentmasses because otherwise the yield will be further diminished.

Somewhat similar is the experience ininner and outer tube the reactionmixture passes to the catalyst located within a portion of one of thetubes, the reaction product passing through the space between the tubesor through the inner tube, as the case may be.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatusfor the manufacture of formaldehyde by catalysis.

One embodiment of this invention isillustrated by way of example in theaccompanying drawing which is a diagrammatic sectional elevation of apractical form of the improved apparatus.

As shown, the catalyzing mass of copper is clamped at A in the frontportion of the catalyzing tube B. C is an internal concentric tubedesigned for heating the air that is necessary for the reaction. Theentry of this air is adjustable by means of a tap D. The

supplies the methyl-alcohol very hot air issues at E and a branch pipe,enters at F catalyst are Wire-drawn in the very narrow annular spacebetween the two tubes B and C. This is an excellent condition foreffooting the exchange of temperature, because this exchange is afunction of the velocity of the gases. ,There is consequently a rapidcooling by means of B and C at one and the same time in accordance withthe object in view.

The half-cooled gases pass out at H on their way to washing andcondensing apparatus. K is a peep-hole glazed with a sheet of mica forthe purpose of viewing thecolour of the catalyst. Its temperature isincreased or diminished by increasing or diminishing the quantity of airadmitted through D.

I A formol-producing apparatus comprises a plurality of the elementsdescribed above connected together to form a battery.

The rod L composed of two metals is an electrical couple for actuatingthe pointer or dial of a pyrometer (not shown). The rod L extendsthrough a stufiing box M.

N is a. screw plug by means of which the ignition is efi'ected forstarting the apparatus.

By means of these devices the catalysis can be very easily regulated,and good yields of formaldehyde obtained.

What I claim is Apparatus for the manufacture of formaldehyde frommethyl alcohol and an oxygencontaining gas by catalysis comprising achamber in which a catalyst is located, a mixing device adapted to bringtogether the methyl alcohol and the oxygen-containing gas, means adaptedto lead the mixture from said mixing device to the chamber, a tubeextending from the chamber for leading away the reaction product, achamber 10- outed Within the tube concentrically theregas heated in itspassage therethrough back with, a tubulure in said last-mentioned to themixing device in which the mixture chamber adapted to be connected withthe of methyl alcohol and oxygen-containing 10 supply ofoxygen-containing gas and a tugas supplied to the catalyst is formed.

5 bulur connection extending from said cham- In testimony whereof I havesigned my her through the wall of the tube for leading name to thisspecification. from the chamber the oxygewcontaining EMILE AUGUSTINBARBET.

